Voyager attempts to create a Borg-like transwarp conduit with the help of Seven of Nine. During the first test, things go wrong and Torres must eject Voyager’s warp core.

Torres and Paris are sent in a shuttle to retrieve the core, but find ships of the Caatati, a people ravaged by the Borg and with little to live on, about to salvage the core. The Caatati fire on the shuttle severely damaging it, but Paris and Torres are able to beam out into space before the shuttle explodes.

Janeway must negotiate back the core from the Caatati and find the two missing crew before they run out of air.

During her time with Paris floating in space, she realizes she has succeeded in passing through her Klingon Day of Honor, an annual day of self examination, and can now openly express her feelings toward him.